Overview

• The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority cleared the UniSC vaccine for nationwide distribution beyond trial conditions.
• Field studies reported at least a 65% drop in chlamydia-related mortality in wild koalas and fewer clinical symptoms.
• Antibiotics have been the only treatment to date but can disrupt koalas’ ability to digest eucalyptus and often fail to prevent reinfection.
• Treidlia Biovet will produce the vaccine, with stages of the project supported by Ceva through its Wildlife Research Fund.
• Scientists aim to begin targeted rollouts in Queensland and New South Wales by the end of 2026, contingent on state and federal funding.